Striker feared he was paralysed after being left immobile in aftermath of collision during Stranraer game

Albion Rovers striker Mark McGuigan admits he feared being paralysed after a horror collision in last week’s Challenge Cup match with Stranraer.

The 25-year-old, from Hairmyres, was taken to hospital with damaged tendons on his spine after taking a knee to the head during a challenge in the second half of their 2-1 defeat at Stair Park.

McGuigan revealed he was left unable to move immediately after the collision, but was attended to by club physio Kenny Crichton for several minutes on the park before leaving for A&E in a neck brace.

He was later given the all clear but McGuigan reckons he is one lucky man.

“I got a bit of a fright when it happened because I was trying to move and I just couldn’t,” he told the News.

“I knew as soon as I went down it was a problem in my back.

“Anything to do with your spine is always a big concern, so I really feared the worst at that moment.

“I was pretty groggy at first and then I think I was out of it for a bit.

“I remember coming to on my way to the hospital.

“I was immobile for about an hour and a half until I got my X-ray done and I was given the all clear.

“It was a huge relief when that X-ray came back and now I just want to get back playing football.

“There’s not much I can do for the injury now, except resting up.

“I’m desperate to get back but I don’t want to risk anything too soon and if I have to miss a couple of games because of it, it’s a small price to pay because it could have been a lot worse.”

McGuigan – who missed Saturday’s 2-0 win over East Fife – made light of the incident after he was released from hospital, taking to Twitter to post a picture of himself giving a ‘thumbs-up’ while on a gurney.

It was accompanied by the message: “Thanks to everyone for the messages, really appreciate it. I’m out, no major damage. Could do with a new neck tho! (sic)”

And the former Partick Thistle man was full of praise for the club physio and the staff at Galloway Community Hospital in Stranraer.

“I’m really thankful to Kenny, the medics at Stranraer and the hospital staff for all their help,” he added.

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